September 16, 2008

ERC Approves ESRI Parking

by ssavage

By Jesse B. Gill

REDLANDS - The Environmental Review Committee voted to pass a plan to build a new Environmental Systems Research Institute parking lot on to the City Council on Monday.

The committee voted unanimously to make a recommendation for a project that, if approved, would be on the north side of Interstate 10. The project's plans must now receive approval from the Planning Commission and later, the City Council.

ESRI proposes to build a parking lot with 87 spaces on 1.03 acres on the south side of Plum Lane, about 200 feet east of Idaho Street, according to a city staff report. The parking lot would be placed next to the Redlands Girl Scout building on Plum Lane.

For the parking lot to be built, the Planning Commission must approve an amendment to the specific plan, as the lot would be built in an area zoned for office and industrial use.

Planner Chris Boatman presented the project to the committee on Monday. He said there were six environmental factors that would need to be addressed before, during and after the lot would be built.

Boatman said ESRI would have to conduct daily watering to keep the dust down while the lot is being built. Boatman said the lot's landscaping would have to be installed before the lot would be used, to reduce wind and water erosion.

The project also must include planter areas that will prevent toxic materials from washing down Redlands storm drains. The project must also comply with requirements of the Santa Ana Regional Water Control Board, in keeping with the water quality plan for the city.

During the construction of the lot, a construction plan must be submitted to protect the materials and equipment for the project.

"The applicant will be required to submit a construction site security plan approved by the Police Department," Boatman said. "They must provide adequate security measures, such as lights, cameras, vehicle transponders, locks, alarms and security personnel."

Boatman said the security measures would be required mainly to protect the copper wiring that would be stored at the site.

"We've required it in all new construction," said Police Cmdr. Tom Fitzmaurice.

"We've had so much theft. So they have to come up with some plan that we approve to protect their equipment and property."